The President of Latvia can dismiss the Saeima and request early elections. The procedure for dismissing it involves substantial political risk to the president, including a risk of loss of office. On May 28, 2011, president Valdis Zatlers decided to initiate the dissolution of the Saeima, which was approved in a referendum, and the Saeima was dissolved on 23 July 2011.

Latvia Adventure Travel

LatviaAdventure Travel: If you're yearning to hit Europe's untrodden jackpot, cash in your chips in Latvia (Latvija). Still undiscovered by the tourism masses, this sizzling Baltic sexpot is poised to become the continent's next A-list star. A country in transition, hellbent on shedding its stalwart old-Soviet image, the Latvia of today is vibrant, enigmatic and altogether mesmerising. Refreshingly unpretentious, Latvia manages to tantalise even the most jaded traveller. Many arrive expecting little and leave overwhelmed, certain they've uncovered long-buried treasure.
Latvian amber was known in places as far away as Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. In the12th century, German traders arrived, bringing with them missionaries who attempted to convert the pagan Finno-Ugric and Baltic t...

LatviaAdventure Travel: If you're yearning to hit Europe's untrodden jackpot, cash in your chips in Latvia (Latvija). Still undiscovered by the tourism masses, this sizzling Baltic sexpot is poised to become the continent's next A-list star. A country in transition, hellbent on shedding its stalwart old-Soviet image, the Latvia of today is vibrant, enigmatic and altogether mesmerising. Refreshingly unpretentious, Latvia manages to tantalise even the most jaded traveller. Many arrive expecting little and leave overwhelmed, certain they've uncovered long-buried treasure.
Latvian amber was known in places as far away as Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. In the12th century, German traders arrived, bringing with them missionaries who attempted to convert the pagan Finno-Ugric and Baltic tribes to the Christian faith. The Germans founded Rīga in 1201, establishing it as the largest and most powerful city on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. After independence in 1918, Latvia achieved considerable results in social development, economy, industry and agriculture. It has always been a multicultural melting point, where foreigners and locals worked together and brought prosperity to the country. On June 16, 1940, Vyacheslav Molotov presented the Latvian representative in Moscow with an ultimatum accusing Latvia of violations of that pact, and on June 17 Soviet forces occupied the country. Elections for a "People's Saeima" were held, and a puppet government headed by Augusts Kirhenšteins led Latvia into the USSR. The annexation was formalized on August 5, 1940. During the time of the Iron Curtain, Latvia was a province of the Soviet Union, but the concentration of heavy industry was enormous. Contacts with the West were regulated. The Baltic region had the reputation of being the most urbanized and having the highest literacy rate in the Soviet Union. Latvia gained independence on September 6, 1991. Between 1991 and 2007 the country saw unprecedented economic growth. However, the global recession and the banking crisis hit Latvia brutally, and severe economic contraction and destructively high unemployment have returned.
Because of a tribal past and divisions between occupying nations, there are regional differences between parts of Latvia which are interesting to explore.
Enjoy Your Latvia Adventure Travel!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTku4GK9Rmk

LatviaAdventure Travel: If you're yearning to hit Europe's untrodden jackpot, cash in your chips in Latvia (Latvija). Still undiscovered by the tourism masses, this sizzling Baltic sexpot is poised to become the continent's next A-list star. A country in transition, hellbent on shedding its stalwart old-Soviet image, the Latvia of today is vibrant, enigmatic and altogether mesmerising. Refreshingly unpretentious, Latvia manages to tantalise even the most jaded traveller. Many arrive expecting little and leave overwhelmed, certain they've uncovered long-buried treasure.
Latvian amber was known in places as far away as Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. In the12th century, German traders arrived, bringing with them missionaries who attempted to convert the pagan Finno-Ugric and Baltic tribes to the Christian faith. The Germans founded Rīga in 1201, establishing it as the largest and most powerful city on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. After independence in 1918, Latvia achieved considerable results in social development, economy, industry and agriculture. It has always been a multicultural melting point, where foreigners and locals worked together and brought prosperity to the country. On June 16, 1940, Vyacheslav Molotov presented the Latvian representative in Moscow with an ultimatum accusing Latvia of violations of that pact, and on June 17 Soviet forces occupied the country. Elections for a "People's Saeima" were held, and a puppet government headed by Augusts Kirhenšteins led Latvia into the USSR. The annexation was formalized on August 5, 1940. During the time of the Iron Curtain, Latvia was a province of the Soviet Union, but the concentration of heavy industry was enormous. Contacts with the West were regulated. The Baltic region had the reputation of being the most urbanized and having the highest literacy rate in the Soviet Union. Latvia gained independence on September 6, 1991. Between 1991 and 2007 the country saw unprecedented economic growth. However, the global recession and the banking crisis hit Latvia brutally, and severe economic contraction and destructively high unemployment have returned.
Because of a tribal past and divisions between occupying nations, there are regional differences between parts of Latvia which are interesting to explore.
Enjoy Your Latvia Adventure Travel!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTku4GK9Rmk

The Council of Ministers Building and the District Courthouse Building.wmv

"The Council of Ministers Building"
Come join "TheCeļotājs" visit to the outside area of The Council of Ministers Building located at Brīvības bulvāris 36 an...

"The Council of Ministers Building"
Come join "TheCeļotājs" visit to the outside area of The Council of Ministers Building located at Brīvības bulvāris 36 and the District Courthouse "RīgaRegional Court" located at Brīvības bulvāris 34 which share a common area between them.
Built in 1936 by Frīdrihs Skujiņš 1890-1957, during the Soviet occupation, the Council of Ministers building was the office of the Baltic Military District of the USSR. It is on the site of the cemetery of the church of Saint Gertrude "which stood on the site of the RigaCinema in Elizabetes iela". Guntis Ulmanis, the first president of Latvia after renewed independence, has an apartment in the building.
Born in Riga in 1939, Guntis Ulmanis, grandson of Karlis Ulmanis, studied Economics at the Latvian State University after which he worked on the board of the Bank of Latvia. He was a member of the Communist Party from 1965 to 1989 and a member of Riga City Council. In 1993, Ulmanis was appointed President and served two terms.
That Guntis Ulmanis had a notoriously shaky grasp of English was seen when he addressed a prestigious lawyers' conference in the United States beginning his remarks with: "I'm pleased to be in the company of such distinguished liars." He of course meant lawyers!
The DistrictCourthouse "Rīga Regional Court"
Come join "TheCeļotājs" visit to the outside area of the District Courthouse "Rīga Regional Court" located at Brīvības bulvāris 34
The District Courthouse was built in 1888 to the designs of Jānis Fridrihs Baumanis. It was designed so that from the air the building looks like the Tsar's crown. On the building are two plaques; one to Baumanis "who was granted a rent-free apartment on the top floor" and the other to Gunārs Astra
Jānis Fridrihs Baumanis 1834-1891, who became the first professionally qualified Latvian architect, was the son of a river pilot. He began his working life at the age of 11 learning his father's trade, however eight years later he became a carpenter and within three years, he was managing 40 workers.
Ever wanting to improve himself he then worked for four years with the architect Heinrich Scheel. In 1859, he was noticed by the St Petersburg architect Ludwig Bohnstedt, who encouraged him to enroll in the BerlinRoyalBuildingAcademy and later in the Saint PetersburgAcademy of Art.
Gunārs Astra, 1931-1988, whose only crime was the defense of human rights, was arrested by the Soviets in 1961 and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. On his released in 1976 he returned to Riga, but seven years later was rearrested and imprisoned again, only to be released a few weeks before his death. Astra was a light in the darkness, whose spirit proves that there is no power on earth that can strangle the desire for freedom and the aspiration of people to live in a democratic country based on the rule of law.
The plaque on side of the District Court, which includes a quote from his second trial, reads:
In this building on 15 December1983 the fighter for the freedom of Latvia Gunārs Astra was sentenced.
"I believe that this time will disappear like a nightmare. This gives me the strength to stand and breathe here."
He went on to say "not included on the plaque" "Our people have suffered beyond belief and therefore have the experience and we will survive this dark stage as well."
While still a student, together with Robert Pflug he won the contract for what is now the Saeima "Parliament" building. Outside his profession, he was involved in the 1861 Berlin festival of gymnastics and was one of the founders of the Saint Petersburg Association of Architects. In 1868, he helped found the Riga Latvian Society of which he was chairman (1872-65).
He also constructed three temporary timber concert halls in Riga for the song festivals of 1873, 1880 and 1888. In total Baumanis built over 150 buildings in Riga, He also built 17 Russian Orthodox churches in Livland province.
The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia
Brīvības bulvāris 36
Rīga, LV-1520, LatvijaPhone: +371 67082934, +371 67082800
Fax: +371 67280469
Email: vk@mk.gov.lv
Website: http://www.mk.gov.lv/index.php/en

"The Council of Ministers Building"
Come join "TheCeļotājs" visit to the outside area of The Council of Ministers Building located at Brīvības bulvāris 36 and the District Courthouse "RīgaRegional Court" located at Brīvības bulvāris 34 which share a common area between them.
Built in 1936 by Frīdrihs Skujiņš 1890-1957, during the Soviet occupation, the Council of Ministers building was the office of the Baltic Military District of the USSR. It is on the site of the cemetery of the church of Saint Gertrude "which stood on the site of the RigaCinema in Elizabetes iela". Guntis Ulmanis, the first president of Latvia after renewed independence, has an apartment in the building.
Born in Riga in 1939, Guntis Ulmanis, grandson of Karlis Ulmanis, studied Economics at the Latvian State University after which he worked on the board of the Bank of Latvia. He was a member of the Communist Party from 1965 to 1989 and a member of Riga City Council. In 1993, Ulmanis was appointed President and served two terms.
That Guntis Ulmanis had a notoriously shaky grasp of English was seen when he addressed a prestigious lawyers' conference in the United States beginning his remarks with: "I'm pleased to be in the company of such distinguished liars." He of course meant lawyers!
The DistrictCourthouse "Rīga Regional Court"
Come join "TheCeļotājs" visit to the outside area of the District Courthouse "Rīga Regional Court" located at Brīvības bulvāris 34
The District Courthouse was built in 1888 to the designs of Jānis Fridrihs Baumanis. It was designed so that from the air the building looks like the Tsar's crown. On the building are two plaques; one to Baumanis "who was granted a rent-free apartment on the top floor" and the other to Gunārs Astra
Jānis Fridrihs Baumanis 1834-1891, who became the first professionally qualified Latvian architect, was the son of a river pilot. He began his working life at the age of 11 learning his father's trade, however eight years later he became a carpenter and within three years, he was managing 40 workers.
Ever wanting to improve himself he then worked for four years with the architect Heinrich Scheel. In 1859, he was noticed by the St Petersburg architect Ludwig Bohnstedt, who encouraged him to enroll in the BerlinRoyalBuildingAcademy and later in the Saint PetersburgAcademy of Art.
Gunārs Astra, 1931-1988, whose only crime was the defense of human rights, was arrested by the Soviets in 1961 and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. On his released in 1976 he returned to Riga, but seven years later was rearrested and imprisoned again, only to be released a few weeks before his death. Astra was a light in the darkness, whose spirit proves that there is no power on earth that can strangle the desire for freedom and the aspiration of people to live in a democratic country based on the rule of law.
The plaque on side of the District Court, which includes a quote from his second trial, reads:
In this building on 15 December1983 the fighter for the freedom of Latvia Gunārs Astra was sentenced.
"I believe that this time will disappear like a nightmare. This gives me the strength to stand and breathe here."
He went on to say "not included on the plaque" "Our people have suffered beyond belief and therefore have the experience and we will survive this dark stage as well."
While still a student, together with Robert Pflug he won the contract for what is now the Saeima "Parliament" building. Outside his profession, he was involved in the 1861 Berlin festival of gymnastics and was one of the founders of the Saint Petersburg Association of Architects. In 1868, he helped found the Riga Latvian Society of which he was chairman (1872-65).
He also constructed three temporary timber concert halls in Riga for the song festivals of 1873, 1880 and 1888. In total Baumanis built over 150 buildings in Riga, He also built 17 Russian Orthodox churches in Livland province.
The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia
Brīvības bulvāris 36
Rīga, LV-1520, LatvijaPhone: +371 67082934, +371 67082800
Fax: +371 67280469
Email: vk@mk.gov.lv
Website: http://www.mk.gov.lv/index.php/en

Latvia Adventure Travel

LatviaAdventure Travel: If you're yearning to hit Europe's untrodden jackpot, cash in your chips in Latvia (Latvija). Still undiscovered by the tourism masses, this sizzling Baltic sexpot is poised to become the continent's next A-list star. A country in transition, hellbent on shedding its stalwart old-Soviet image, the Latvia of today is vibrant, enigmatic and altogether mesmerising. Refreshingly unpretentious, Latvia manages to tantalise even the most jaded traveller. Many arrive expecting little and leave overwhelmed, certain they've uncovered long-buried treasure.
Latvian amber was known in places as far away as Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. In the12th century, German traders arrived, bringing with them missionaries who attempted to convert the pagan Finno-Ugric and Baltic tribes to the Christian faith. The Germans founded Rīga in 1201, establishing it as the largest and most powerful city on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. After independence in 1918, Latvia achieved considerable results in social development, economy, industry and agriculture. It has always been a multicultural melting point, where foreigners and locals worked together and brought prosperity to the country. On June 16, 1940, Vyacheslav Molotov presented the Latvian representative in Moscow with an ultimatum accusing Latvia of violations of that pact, and on June 17 Soviet forces occupied the country. Elections for a "People's Saeima" were held, and a puppet government headed by Augusts Kirhenšteins led Latvia into the USSR. The annexation was formalized on August 5, 1940. During the time of the Iron Curtain, Latvia was a province of the Soviet Union, but the concentration of heavy industry was enormous. Contacts with the West were regulated. The Baltic region had the reputation of being the most urbanized and having the highest literacy rate in the Soviet Union. Latvia gained independence on September 6, 1991. Between 1991 and 2007 the country saw unprecedented economic growth. However, the global recession and the banking crisis hit Latvia brutally, and severe economic contraction and destructively high unemployment have returned.
Because of a tribal past and divisions between occupying nations, there are regional differences between parts of Latvia which are interesting to explore.
Enjoy Your Latvia Adventure Travel!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTku4GK9Rmk

The Council of Ministers Building and the District Courthouse Building.wmv

"The Council of Ministers Building"
Come join "TheCeļotājs" visit to the outside area of The Council of Ministers Building located at Brīvības bulvāris 36 and the District Courthouse "RīgaRegional Court" located at Brīvības bulvāris 34 which share a common area between them.
Built in 1936 by Frīdrihs Skujiņš 1890-1957, during the Soviet occupation, the Council of Ministers building was the office of the Baltic Military District of the USSR. It is on the site of the cemetery of the church of Saint Gertrude "which stood on the site of the RigaCinema in Elizabetes iela". Guntis Ulmanis, the first president of Latvia after renewed independence, has an apartment in the building.
Born in Riga in 1939, Guntis Ulmanis, grandson of Karlis Ulmanis, studied Economics at the Latvian State University after which he worked on the board of the Bank of Latvia. He was a member of the Communist Party from 1965 to 1989 and a member of Riga City Council. In 1993, Ulmanis was appointed President and served two terms.
That Guntis Ulmanis had a notoriously shaky grasp of English was seen when he addressed a prestigious lawyers' conference in the United States beginning his remarks with: "I'm pleased to be in the company of such distinguished liars." He of course meant lawyers!
The DistrictCourthouse "Rīga Regional Court"
Come join "TheCeļotājs" visit to the outside area of the District Courthouse "Rīga Regional Court" located at Brīvības bulvāris 34
The District Courthouse was built in 1888 to the designs of Jānis Fridrihs Baumanis. It was designed so that from the air the building looks like the Tsar's crown. On the building are two plaques; one to Baumanis "who was granted a rent-free apartment on the top floor" and the other to Gunārs Astra
Jānis Fridrihs Baumanis 1834-1891, who became the first professionally qualified Latvian architect, was the son of a river pilot. He began his working life at the age of 11 learning his father's trade, however eight years later he became a carpenter and within three years, he was managing 40 workers.
Ever wanting to improve himself he then worked for four years with the architect Heinrich Scheel. In 1859, he was noticed by the St Petersburg architect Ludwig Bohnstedt, who encouraged him to enroll in the BerlinRoyalBuildingAcademy and later in the Saint PetersburgAcademy of Art.
Gunārs Astra, 1931-1988, whose only crime was the defense of human rights, was arrested by the Soviets in 1961 and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. On his released in 1976 he returned to Riga, but seven years later was rearrested and imprisoned again, only to be released a few weeks before his death. Astra was a light in the darkness, whose spirit proves that there is no power on earth that can strangle the desire for freedom and the aspiration of people to live in a democratic country based on the rule of law.
The plaque on side of the District Court, which includes a quote from his second trial, reads:
In this building on 15 December1983 the fighter for the freedom of Latvia Gunārs Astra was sentenced.
"I believe that this time will disappear like a nightmare. This gives me the strength to stand and breathe here."
He went on to say "not included on the plaque" "Our people have suffered beyond belief and therefore have the experience and we will survive this dark stage as well."
While still a student, together with Robert Pflug he won the contract for what is now the Saeima "Parliament" building. Outside his profession, he was involved in the 1861 Berlin festival of gymnastics and was one of the founders of the Saint Petersburg Association of Architects. In 1868, he helped found the Riga Latvian Society of which he was chairman (1872-65).
He also constructed three temporary timber concert halls in Riga for the song festivals of 1873, 1880 and 1888. In total Baumanis built over 150 buildings in Riga, He also built 17 Russian Orthodox churches in Livland province.
The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia
Brīvības bulvāris 36
Rīga, LV-1520, LatvijaPhone: +371 67082934, +371 67082800
Fax: +371 67280469
Email: vk@mk.gov.lv
Website: http://www.mk.gov.lv/index.php/en

Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own

you don't get to tell your heart how to feelit does what it wants when it wants toall that you can do is pray that it lands in the hands of somebody true!and you don't get to tell your heart where to stayno it will not obey cause it knows the truthlet's not confuse it! you try to prove it wrongbut the heart has a mind of its ownchorus:you can't run from the place that you belongcause if you run, you'll be feeling so alonebefore you know, you'll be picking up the phonecause the heart has a mind of its own!can't fight that burning in your chestyou can't fight, feeling such a messyour hear decides, but it's you that second guestcause the heart has a mind of its own!you don't get to fall at the perfect timefor someone love is ending, for someone else is just beginningsomeone is gotta cry, someone needs to know whybut the heart tells no lies!and you don't get to tell your heart when it heelswhen it breaks like rock through shatter glassall you can ask is that the pain moves fastone day this too, shall last!by know i hope you know, it has a mind of its own!chorus:you can't run from the place that you belongcause if you run, you'll be feeling so alonebefore you know, you'll be picking up the phonecause the heart has a mind of its own!can't fight that burning in your chestyou can't fight, feeling such a messyour hear decides, but it's you that second guestcause the heart has a mind of its own!it's so real, can't you see it?is the heart that really means itand the heart won't let you lie,it won't let love be defeated!sometimes is inconvenient,but the real truth is you need itcause the mind will leave you lonelychorus:you can't run from the place that you belongcause if you run, you'll be feeling so alonebefore you know, you'll be picking up the phonecause the heart has a mind of its own!can't fight that burning in your chestyou can't fight, feeling such a messyour hear decides, but it's you that second guest

LONDON (AP) — A British surgeon has admitted assaulting two patients by burning his initials into their livers during transplant operations ...Bramhall used an argon beam coagulator, which seals bleeding blood vessels with an electric beam, to mark his initials on the organs ... ....

District JudgeTed Stewart said during a hearing in Salt Lake City that Lyle Jeffs deserved the 57-month prison sentence because his behavior showed he doesn't respect U.S ... Jeffs is an adult. He knows right from wrong." ... He was ordered to pay $1 million in restitution ... "I do humbly accept my responsibly for my actions ... The FBI put up a $50,000 reward....

Norway made the official switch to become the first country in the world to shut down national broadcasts of its FM networks and made to switch to all digital audio broadcasting (DAB), according to The Guardian... 11. DAB allows for a higher quality sound with more channels and functions for an eighth of the cost of FM radio, according to authorities ... -WN.com, Maureen Foody....

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The visit paid to Northern Ireland last week by Baiba Braze, Latvia's UK ambassador, was illuminating for several reasons ... But of far more interest is that Eurostat records show the tax rates set by the Saeima (parliament) in Latvia are among the lowest in the EU, at 29.5% of GDP in 2015, compared to 24.4% in Ireland and 35% in the UK ... Bernard J Mulholland. Belfast. Belfast Telegraph. ....

citizen. Latvia’s parliament, the Saeima, said on April 27 that the unanimous decision was made in recognition of Baryshnikov's civic involvement and his "voicing of political beliefs in support of democratic values and human rights.". Baryshnikov was born in Riga in 1948 to ethnic Russian parents ... ....

Increasing exchanges between Latvia and China will help deepen mutual understanding, trust and cooperation, Inara Murniece, speaker of the Latvian parliamentSaeima said. "The more we learn about each other, the deeper our mutual trust and cooperation grows ... ....

RIGA, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Increasing exchanges between Latvia and China will help deepen mutual understanding, trust and cooperation, Inara Murniece, speaker of the Latvian parliamentSaeima said. "The more we learn about each other, the deeper our mutual trust and cooperation grows ... Murniece said exchanges by legislature bodies play an important role in enhancing Latvia-China relations ... "We have many things in common," she said ... ....

In the framework of the official visit to Latvia, PresidentPetro Poroshenko had a meeting with Speaker of the Saeima of Latvia Ināra Mūrniece ... Petro Poroshenko particularly thanked Speaker of the Saeima of Latvia Ināra Mūrniece for her active support of ......

ABU DHABI // Women members of parliament have an important role in brokering peace in the Middle East and beyond, a conference heard on Monday. About 50 women who preside over parliaments met in Abu Dhabi for the GlobalSummit of Women Speakers of Parliament... "Parliaments should be the early responders to conflict," said Inara Murniece, speaker of the Saeima, the parliament of Latvia ... Hope is our secret ... hdajani@thenational.ae ....

Latvia supports the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict within the territorial integrity, sovereignty and internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan. This was said by Speaker of the LatvianSaeima Inara Murniece at the meeting with Azerbaijan's Foreign MinisterElmar Mammadyarov on October 3, Trend reported ... ....